Spoked wheels...path of least resistance?

[BlackKat]

So originally, I had my heart set on a set of Paul Smart wheels...got a buddy who is planning on parting with his in the next couple months, so it worked out. I planned on powder coating them-as nothing can be left to stock, right? I figure with the cost of the wheels, the modding for fitment on my 750, dis-assembly, powder coating and re assembly, I 'll be out $1000-1200.00 or so...

For similar money, could I (or would I be better suited to) get something lighter, already to mount and custom?

I have seen some of the Alpina stuff out there and I must say, its damn sexy, but whats up with Pak? Their site is down and it seems no one else offers them...Would the Alpinas be in my price range? Are there other quality manufacturers out there?

Thanks for the input Lads!

[Duck-Stew]

If your M750 is 1997-1999, then you'll have much more custom spacers to have manufactured as the front axle is 20mm and the rear is 17mm.

If your M750 is 2000-2002, then at least you'll have a front axle that's the proper diameter (25mm), but will still have to deal with the 17mm rear.

Calipers:  Your stock calipers won't clear the spokes as they sit.  I've heard of people having a small amount milled off the rear of the caliper and then they fit up, no problem.  (Not that I'd recommend having material machined off a caliper, but to each their own and I haven't measured the existing thickness...)  I've also seen the Discacciati (sp?) calipers offered as a bolt-on but b/c they're billet, they'll blow your budget outright.  

Unless you've got a 2002 M750, then You're going to have to see if the SC wheels can drive your speedometer gear also as the 1997-2001 M750's have a speedo-cable.  2002 drives it's speed signal from the rear via a sensor.

The rear is a 5.5" width so you'll need a wider tire (170/60/17 will work and not be much heavier/bulkier than your existing 160 is).  You'll also need to flip your front sprocket around so that it puts the chain further away from the motor to clear the 5.5" wheel (that is providing the front sprocket is relatively new...).  You'll also need the rear sprocket carrier as it's different (also places the rear sprocket further away from the tire).

[BlackKat]

Thats a mouth full...in any event doable, however the headache seems to out weight the dollar in this case for sure. So back to the other part of my question...

Custom build to fit applications?

[xcaptainxbloodx]

even the lightest spoked wheels are going to substantially outweigh 90% of mag wheels. you're paying a lot of money and putting yourself through a lot of stress to downgrade the performance of your bike.

[BlackKat]

Its a 99 750... Lets be honest...Did the bike ever perform? Its the lowest compression...lowest BHP model with that displacement. All the go fast internal bits have long since been discontinued or are available at a cost that just doesn't make sense...at this point its about style..nothing else.

this project looks cool...the next one will be fast 

[xcaptainxbloodx]

heavy wheels wont affect speed as much as handling.  I understand if you dont care about hot rodding a 750 but this will be a pretty serious decline in the overall riding experience. for the cost/headache you could get some really awsome and lighter mag wheels that would make the bike look cooler and ride better.

[Duck-Stew]

If you haven't added spoked wheels to a bike that didnt have them and if you haven't ridden that bike, then perhaps you don't know the overall negative effect on handling and are postulating as to it's effects. 

The SportClassic guys seem to get by just fine with the 'heavier-therefore-death-to-handeling' wheels...  Truth told, a slightly heavier wheel (which SC spoked wheels are especially the AL rimmed ones as fitted to the PS bikes) will actually track through a corner BETTER than a lighter wheel will as there is more mass there, it just requires a bit more effort to swap directions quickly.  In other words: on a street ridden Monster, it'll be noticeable, but not anything detrimental.

[moto]

I have a Sport Classic 1000. Although I liked the looks -I could not wait to take those heavy spoke wheels off. The faster I went the slower the bike turned. The front end shook when it hit bumps. It took forever to stop. The suspension worked hard to keep the bike under control at any kind of speed.


The first thing I did was to swap over to some marchesini forged wheels


I later installed some BST wheels on it.


Each step was an improvement but the biggest improvement was taking off the heavy spoke wheels.
In the end a saved nearly 30lbs of rotational weight by going to BST wheels.

I'm testing some OZ forged aluminum wheels now. Although they are slighlty heavier than the BST, they still turn much better than the OEM wheels. They do carry speed better through the turn like Stewart. The flywheel affect makes the bike a little easier to ride, but it does not change directions as well.

Personally I think going from cast aluminum wheels to spoke wheels is several steps backwards.

[zooom]

Stew, Moto, what about the idea of taking stock spoked wheels and having lighter and stronger spokes with Excel rims laced to the stock hubs?

[battlecry]

Aren't the Excel's for tubed tires?

[BlackKat]

I haven't seen the specific specs on them, but i'm leaning toward the Alpinas which I have to presume are a better wheel than the stock PS or SC wheel. I agree its a step back from the aluminum wheels, but for my project, its about the look.  I PROMISE, next bike is gunna be fast!

[JEFF_H]

Aren't the Excel's for tubed tires?

depends on the spokes.
Alpina now uses Excel rims with their own hub/tubeless spokes

[ungeheuer]

....for the cost/headache you could get some really awsome and lighter mag wheels that would make the bike look cooler and ride better.

I have a Sport Classic 1000. Although I liked the looks -I could not wait to take those heavy spoke wheels off.

The first thing I did was to swap over to some marchesini forged wheels.... biggest improvement was taking off the heavy spoke wheels. In the end a saved nearly 30lbs of rotational weight by going to BST wheels.

Guys, you're not listening.  Seems to me that the OP understands the implications and he WANTS SPOKED WHEELS.... not gratuitous advice on how much better your bike is without them  .

Sorry to say I'm no help either, I have no idea where you're gonna find the wheels you're after.  But I hope somebody is able to point you in the direction of your wire wheels 

[Travman]

I have seen some of the Alpina stuff out there and I must say, its damn sexy, but whats up with Pak? Their site is down and it seems no one else offers them...Would the Alpinas be in my price range? Are there other quality manufacturers out there?

did you try emailing Pak?  jc@jcpakbikes.com

You can also find Alpinas at Monster Parts.
http://www.monsterparts.com/pc/ALP1/Wheels/ALP1.html

[BlackKat]

Thanks for saying what I was thinking Ungeheuer! This isn't my first BBQ...I've had cars where the discussion of unsprung weight and performance were an issue..I.E, 280BHP 1900 lb VW Golf...it was ugly (in that good way) and stupid fast....

THIS...on the other hand is made for pure looks. I'm building a retro cafe bike out of my Monster. I chose a 99 750 as the carbs fit the style and feeling of the cafe seen...but its still just a heavy 57 BHP bike. IT IS WHAT IT IS!

now then...monsterparts and Alpina...Jeff dropped me a line in regards to my wheel needs. the alipnas as I want them will run me about 2000.00. I don't know if that is REALLY in my budget...Might not make sense as this is a budget build and I've got many other parts being made one off style.

Again, I ask...is there a more cost effective alternative to Alpinas?